Kosovo’s Acting President Vjosa Osmani has warned the Central Election Commission (CEC) to act impartially and secure the institution’s integrity.
Osmani stated that if the CEC and its head Valdete Daka fail to fulfil their duty, the President will be obliged to take the necessary steps to provide for the integrity of the CEC and elections.
“I will be obliged to take all measures to protect the integrity of the CEC and this electoral process, as provided by the Law on Elections and the Constitution of the country. Holding free elections is a precondition for the democratic functioning of a country. Therefore, we must all pass this test of democracy together with faith and prudence,” Osmani stated on Saturday in a press statement.
Osmani called on the CEC President Daka not to push forward agendas of political parties.
She criticized the “unprecedented” and “unacceptable” CEC treatment of the head of an advisory department on the certification of MP candidates during a CEC meeting on Saturday.
“In front of the eyes of all the citizens of Kosovo, in a live broadcast on television, yesterday there was an extreme pressure on the office for registration of political parties and certification, as well as toleration of pressure and threats against the head of this office,” Osmani stated.
The head of the mentioned office, Judge Yll Buleshkaj, said that a CEC member verbally attacked him for his opinions in support of Albin Kurti’s certification as an MP candidates.
On Friday, the CEC refused to certify 47 MP candidates, including the leader of the largest party Vetevendosje, Albin Kurti. Six political parties appealed the decision.
Acting President Vjosa Osmani is set to run in elections with Vetevendosje.
The head of CEC an be dismissed by the President for putting at risk the institution’s integrity.
